Healthier & Happier Hands: Software and Hardware Solutions for More Ergonomic Typing

<div class="footer-small">
<span>
https://github.com/jhelvy/slides/2025-oscon-healthy-hands
</span>
</div>

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# Healthier ❤️ & Happier 😄 Hands 🙌

## Software and Hardware Solutions for More Ergonomic Typing

### by John Paul Helveston

### 2025 OSCON @ GWU

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## **I type ~7 million key strokes per year**

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# **Tip #1**: Practice Touch Typing

## https://www.keybr.com/

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# **Tip #2:** Use a text expander like _espanso_

See my post on espanso at <a href="https://www.jhelvy.com/blog">https://www.jhelvy.com/blog</a>
</center>

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# **Tip #3:** Use custom keyboard layers

## .center[**Base layer**]

<center>
<p style="font-size:40px;">
1234567890
<br>
qwertyuiop
<br>
asdfgjhkl'
<br>
zxcvnm,./
</p>
</center>

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## .center[**Shift layer**]

<center>
<p style="font-size:40px;">
!@#$%^&*()
<br>
QWERTYUIOP
<br>
ASDFGHJKL"
<br>
ZXCVBNM<>?
</p>
</center>

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background-color: #fff
class: middle, center

# **Tip #3:** Use custom keyboard layers

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background-color: #fff
class: center

# Example: **Caps Lock Layer**

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# **Tip #3:** Use custom keyboard layers

# Mac

#### https://karabiner-elements.pqrs.org/

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# Windows

#### https://www.autohotkey.com/

<center>
<img src="images/ahk_logo_no_text.svg" width=500>
</center>
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background-color: #fff
class: center

# **Tip #4:** Use a split keyboard

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background-color: #fff
class: center

# Reduce **Ulnar Deviation**

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background-color: #fff
class: center

# Reduce **Forearm Pronation**

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background-color: #fff
class: center, middle

# Think of your keyboard as a medical device

<br>

<center>
<img src="images/kinesis_freestyle2.jpg" width=300>
<br>
KINESIS Freestyle 2<br><b>$89.00</b>
</center>

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<center>
<img src="images/logitech.jpg" width=280>
<br>
Logitech - ERGO K860<br><b>$129.00</b>
</center>

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<center>
<img src="images/glasses.jpg" width=350>
Average cost of glasses<br><b>$242.00</b>
</center>

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# Build Your Keyboard With Open Source Tools!

<center>
<img src="images/iris.png" width=720>
<br>
Iris (~$200.00), Powered by <a href="https://qmk.fm/">QMK Firmware</a>
</center>

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background-color: #fff
class: center

# Use a split keyboard **_that is programmable_**

[r/ErgoMechKeyboards](https://www.reddit.com/r/ErgoMechKeyboards/)

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### **Tip #1**: Practice Touch Typing

### **Tip #2:** Use a text expander like _espanso_

### **Tip #3:** Use custom keyboard layers

### **Tip #4:** Use a split keyboard

My Iris Keyboard:<img src="images/my_iris.jpg" width=400>

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# .center[.font150[Thanks!]]

# .center[❤️ 😄 🙌]
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